Cultural Central Asia and Azerbaijan

Leave your home country Upon arrival in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel.

In the morning, explore the old parts of Tashkent, the largest city, including the Khast Imam Complex, the Muslim religious center of the city; and the dome-topped Chorsu Bazaar. After lunch, visit the new part of the city, from Independence Square to Amir Timur Museum, founded on the 660th birthday of Timur, historically known as Tamerlane, the Turkic conqueror of the region, and the Alisher Navoi Theater. A welcome dinner and briefing round out the day.

After breakfast, take a high‐speed train to Samarkand, enjoying beautiful mountain views along the way. Samarkand is a Unesco World Heritage site, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia and the historical capital of Tamerlane. Its strategic location made it a major part of the Silk Road.

Visit Registan Square, with its intricate designs and vibrant colors of the stunning blue‐tiled mosques and madrassas. The afternoon is free. In the evening, head out for dinner in a UNESCO‐recognized house.

In Samarkand, visit Guri Emir, the mausoleum where Amir Timur and his family were buried, and regal Registan Square, with intricate designs and blue-tiled mosques and madrassas (Islamic schools). While the original structures date to the 13th and 15th centuries, 20th-century restoration projects have tried to replicate their original glory, with mixed success. Visit the regal mausoleums of Shah-i-Zinda, site of Central Asia’s most sacred Islamic shrine, the massive mosque of Bibi Khanum and the adjacent colorful market, where saffron is sold at low prices unknown in the West. Alexander the Great, who conquered Samarkand in 329 B.C., tried unsuccessfully to duplicate Samarkand’s famous bread, available here.
The afternoon is free before dinner.

After breakfast, drive to Gijduvan and visit a famous ceramist family, the Narzullaevs, whohave made beautiful pieces for six generations. Watch the ceramic‐making process; a master class is available on request.

Lunch is hosted by the Narzullaevs. Then, drive to Bukhara, a major Silk Road stop, the former capital of the once‐powerful Emirate of Bukhara and now a Unesco World Heritage site. Besieged by the Red Army in the Russian Civil War in 1920, Bukhara lost some of its architectural treasures, but still has more than 100 significant sites.

Take the afternoon to browse the many markets before reconvening for dinner.

Explore the old quarter, with its bustling trading domes and newly active mosques, including Kalyan Minaret, one of Central Asia’s tallest. Genghis Khan began a grisly practice of throwing people from its top, giving it the nickname “The Tower of Death.” Stroll around the streets and see old men with long white beards gossip for hours while drinking tea around a natural oasis spring. The recent restoration of some of its mosques, originally constructed in the 11th to 15th centuries, make them appear as if they were built yesterday, with some loss of authenticity.

Visit the massive fortress, the Ark, originally built in the fifth century and the home of the royal court for centuries, and the mausoleum of Ismail Samani, founder of the last Persian dynasty to rule in Central Asia, an intricate and beautiful 10th-century brick structure. See a cooking demonstration and have a dinner of plov, a local rice dish, at a local house.

The evening concludes with a folklore and national dress show at Nodir Devonbegi madrassah.

Drive to the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border and, after lengthy border formalities, have lunch in a local cafe and continue to Mary. Bordering the Caspian Sea and largely desert, Turkmenistan has large natural gas reserves. In recent years, its veil of isolation has lifted some, though it is still often criticized for authoritarian practices.

Visit ancient Merv, for about 300 years the biggest city in Central Asia. Merv and the villages it encompassed were built and destroyed numerous times over the centuries, though its importance to the Silk Road gave it its most prominence. While much of Merv’s splendor is in ruins, many fortresses and mausoleums remain. After touring them, return to Mary and explore the history museum for more perspective. In the early evening, fly to Ashgabat.

Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, is a new city by Turkmen standards, founded in 1881 but built on the site of another Silk Road city. All but destroyed in a 1948 earthquake, the city is an interesting mix of Soviet-style buildings and grandiose monuments, many of them built as tributes to its presidents, who promote their own cult- like status. Ashgabat is listed in Guinness World Records as having more white marble than any other city in the world.

Tour Ashgabat, including Turkmenbashynyn Ruhy Metjidi, the biggest mausoleum complex in Central Asia, containing the tombs of Saparmurat Niyazov, the former president for life who died in 2006, and his family. Niyazov insisted on being called “Turkmenbashi,” or “Great Leader of all Turkmen.” Just outside Ashgabat, you’ll visit Old Nissa, the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings.

Fly to Dashoguz, which means “spring,” and that feature made the area an important stop on the Silk Road. The Russians, though, called it Tashauz. Take an excursion to Kunya-Urgench, the former capital of the Khwarazmian Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The visit includes Kutluk Timur, the tallest minaret in Central Asia. After lunch, drive to the border checkpoint at Shavat and cross back into Uzbekistan, then continue to Khiva.

Khiva was another Silk Road stop, but it was known for its slave trading. Set off to explore Khiva on foot, including Kunya-Ark Fortress and several mosques, madrassahs and minarets, most of them restored by the Soviets. One large minaret remains unfinished: legend says that the khan building it realized that the muezzin climbing the tower to issue the call for prayer would be able to see into the khan’s harem.
After lunch, continue sightseeing in Khiva, then fly back to Tashkent.
Overnight in Tashkent

Breakfast at your hotel
10:45 check out from your hotel and transfer to Tashkent International Airport for your 12:45 flight to Astana
15:45 Arrive in Astana and private transfer to your selected hotel.

Free time at your leisure, and dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at your hotel

Breakfast at your hotel then a morning tour to get acquainted with historical, architectural, cultural sides of the modern capital. You will visit such places as Central Square, New Square, “Kazak Eli” Palace of Independence, House of Ministries and Presidential Palace. At 13:40 transfer to Astana airport for your flight to Almaty at 15:40. Arrive in Almaty at 17:20 and transfer to your hotel for overnight.

At 10:00 depart for a city tour by bus of Almaty. According to the city tour program you will visit the following places:

• The 28 Panfilov Guards Memorial Park, named in honor of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War
• The Ascension Cathedral
• Museum of national musical instruments
• Green market - the old central market called "green" bazaar, because here the first green traded from time immemorial, the rich gifts of nature the Trans
• Republic Square - the main square in Almaty

13:00-14:00 Lunch (optional*) at “Tau-Dastarkhan” restaurant. “Tau – Dastarkhan” is one of the mountain restaurants offering different national cuisines such Kazakh, Russian, European, Georgian, Steak house, etc. 

14:30 Tour to the Big Almaty Lake: Just 25 km from the bustling life of South capital at an altitude of 2500 meters magical emerald lake is located, surrounded by majestic mountain ranges of Trans-Ili Alatau, dazzling with its brilliance. After visiting the Big Almaty Lake you will have a nice opportunity to participate in a Falconry show with elements of national hunting in a Falconry farm “Sunkar”. You will finish this day in the Park named after the First President. In the park there is the largest fountain in the city; its operation is accompanied by music and color effects.

After breakfast at the hotel depart for a tour to Charyn Canyon. Charyn Canyon will give you a unique opportunity to admire the creation of the Mother-Nature. The nature has presented us unique forms of fantastic Charyn "castles" created by water, wind erosion and time. Afterwards enjoy a tour of “Almaty, city surrounded by mountains”. The tour starts with visiting the skating rink “Medeo”. “Medeu” is a sports complex built in the mountain hole Medeo at the altitude of 1691 meters above sea level. Kok Tobe park is one of the symbols of Almaty city and Kazakhstan. It is situated on Kok Tobe peak at a height of 1100 meters above sea level, 5 minutes by driving off the city center. To rise to Kok Tobe Mountain by the most exciting and unusual way – let yourself be a unique passenger of the cable way connecting Almaty city center and Kok Tobe. The Fountain of Desires “ALMA” is the first sightseeing that welcomes you at Kok Tobe Peak. Take a bird's eye panorama of the city. Every person will have his own emotions. It’s so wonderful - to look down and realize that the city is a huge creature that will remain in your heart forever. It is especially beautiful at night when the light rivers are pulsing, car lights are flowing in an endless stream, and you look at this beauty from the heights and enjoy.

19:00-20:00 Dinner at the national cuisine restaurant “Yurta” (optional*). It has a varied menu of the best recipes of national and European cuisine is available. Here one may try the most delicious bauyrsaks in the city, hot pasties, samsa, the most popular national dish – a variety of beshbarmak, as well as mantas, pilaw, kuyrdak, syrne.

Breakfast at your hotel, then transfer to the airport at 08:00 for your flight to Baku at 10:05. Arrive in Baku 11:50 and transfer to your hotel for a brief rest then lunch at a selected restaurant according to your plan.

Visit to the Martyr's Avenue, located on the higher slopes of the city's west-end. This is the best place for viewing the city and the Bay of Baku. A beautiful photo shoot. We proceed to the Old Town-Icheri Sheher, which is also a fortress. The heart of the historic city is Ichari Sheher (the Inner City, or Old Town). While Baku had a reputation of a city blighted by oil extraction, it has recently been completely transformed into a gorgeous capitol city of seaside promenades and extraordinary architecture, including Zaha Hadid, Sir Normal Foster and others from the list of the most famous architects of our time. Gone are the crumbling Soviet buildings of the 1960’s, replaced by brand-new, limestone-clad almost Parisian architecture of the new Baku. In many ways, this is a city, indeed country, reborn with the oil wealth that for the first time is being spent at home. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited parts in the region – and indeed in the Middle East. Archaeological digs have revealed Bronze Age burial chambers, dating Baku to over 1,500 years old. This is the most popular area of the city, a maze of alleys, dead ends and caravanserais sometimes called the 'Acropolis of Baku.' You’ll see carpet shops and cafes and you shouldn’t miss a stop into a tea café to sample hot lavash bread as it is pulled straight from the clay over that greets you as you enter. Later, your guide will take you to the Shirvanshah’s palace that was built between 1761 and 1762, and is surprisingly small. Here in Old Town, you’ll also see the Maiden Tower and can climb to the top for a wonderful panoramic view of the historic neighborhood.

Overnight at your hotel

Breakfast at your hotel then go to the local Bazar to see the local art of shopping. Like in many Middle Eastern cultures, the bazaar is the place where seasonal and local produce is offered as juiciest melons, sweet-scented peaches, great tomatoes and etc. Afterwards visit the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center. The Heydar Aliyev Center is a 619,000-square-foot building complex in Baku, Azerbaijan designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid and noted for its distinctive architecture and flowing, curved style that eschews sharp angles. The center is named for Heydar Aliyev, the leader of Soviet-era Azerbaijan from 1969 to 1982, and president of Azerbaijan from October 1993 to October 2003. The Center houses a conference hall (auditorium), a gallery hall and a museum. The project is intended to play an integral role in the intellectual life of the city. Located close to the city center, the site plays a pivotal role in the redevelopment of Baku. The Heydar Aliyev Center represents a fluid form which emerges by the folding of the landscape’s natural topography and by the wrapping of individual functions of the Center. All functions of the Center, together with entrances, are represented by folds in a single continuous surface. This fluid form gives an opportunity to connect the various cultural spaces whilst at the same time, providing each element of the Center with its own identity and privacy. As it folds inside, the skin erodes away to become an element of the interior landscape of the Center.

Later your guide will take you to the Baku Fire Temple, known locally as the Atashgah. This is a castle-like Hindu temple and monastery complex in Surakhani near Baku. The complex is now a museum and is no longer used as a place of worship. Local legend associates the temple at Surakhany with the fire temples of Zoroastrianism, but this is presumably based on a misunderstanding of the term 'Atashgah,' which in Azerbaijani is literally any fire-place, but in Zoroastrianism is synonymous with Middle Persian Atashdan, the technical term for the altar-like repository for a sacred wood-fire.

Next visit Yanardagh – Burning Mountain - one of the oldest and most attractive sights on Absheron is at Yanardagh in Mehemmedi settlement. Its name translates literally as ‘burning mountain’ and this is no fancy: it really is burning! The hillsides are embraced by fire day and night. YanarDagh is a natural gas fire which blazes continuously on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula on the Caspian Sea near Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, which itself is known as the "land of fire." Flames jet out into the air 3 metres (9.8 ft) from a thin, porous sandstone layer. Unlike mud volcanoes, the Yanardagh flame burns fairly steadily, as it is not a periodic eruption, but a steady seep of gas from the subsurface. It is also claimed that the Yanardagh flame was only noted when accidentally lit by a shepherd in the 1950s. There is no seepage of mud or liquid, which distinguishes it from the nearby mud volcanoes of Lokbatan or Gobustan.

TRANSFER to the TERMINAL 2 of Baku International airport for your flight to Nakhchivan at 18:40 and arrive in Nakhchivan at 19:40. 
Travel to Azerbaijan’s isolated enclave Nakhchivan, the Azeri enclave wedged between Turkey, Iran and third country. Known as the land of Noah, it shares no land border with Azerbaijan and the only access is by airplane. Nakhchivan, the land of the ancient Azerbaijan, is one of the places of civilization in the world. The people of Azerbaijan created an old and rich culture in this land. The richest historical, scientific and cultural heritages of the Azerbaijan people were formed in this land.
Transfer to your hotel and check in for overnight.

Breakfast at your hotel then visit the Prophet Noah’s Tomb: it is strongly believed that Noah’s own grave is in an area called Kohnagala (old fortress) in the town of Nakhchivan. This place is visited by people as a Pir (place of worship). Large-scale archaeological excavations have been carried out here in recent years. The graves of Noah’s wife and mother are in the town of Marand, in Southern Azerbaijan (north-western Iran).  

Visiting XII century Momina Khatun Monument: This tomb is viewed as a magnificent monument of the national architecture and a pearl of the Eastern architecture. It is also called the Atabay tomb, or the Atabay dome. Once 34 meters high, the tomb has crumbled over time. It is now 25 meters high following the latest restoration. Until the nineteenth century, there used to be several other buildings, including a mosque, near the tomb. The monument is the emblem of the town of Nakhchivan. It is also the beauty of the town. The tomb was built in 1186 in memory of the mother of Atabay ruler Mahammad Jahan Pahlavan. It is called the Taj Mahal of Nakhchivan.

Visiting Yusif Ibn Kuseyir Tomb: It is the result of high engineering that the tomb of Yusif Kuseyir oglu is the only monument among the tower shape tombs of Azerbaijan in which the pyramidal cover reached our time over the last 800 years undestroyed. The inscription of the tomb says that “This tomb belongs to Yusif Kuseyir oglu, Khaja, glorious chief, wise man of religion, the blessed man of Islam, the leader of the sheykhs”. That inscription shows the tomb was built in 557 by Hijri, in the month of Shavval (Christianity 1162). But in the inscription from the main facade in the left, the name of the engineer of the tomb “It is the deed of Ajami Abubakr oglu Nakhchivani, builder”.

Visiting Khan’s House: This house, built in keeping with the Eastern architectural style of the 18th and 19th centuries, was a home of the Nakhchivan ruler Rahim khan. The house has a basement and eight large rooms. It is located in the Gadim Gala (Old Fortress) quarter, 50-60 meters from the Momina Khatun tomb. The network (shabaka) style was widely used in the windows of the building. The house was built on a high hilltop called the “Khan height”, which makes it look extremely magnificent and beautiful. There is a spectacular view of the town from this point.

Lunch at your leisure

Travel to Garabaghlar village of Sharur region to see XII century monument: The Mausoleum is located in a village of the same name. You can tell that looking at the ruins of small mausoleums scattered over ancient sepulchral fields and the fortifications with towers. Once there were 10,000 houses, 70 mosques, mausoleums 40 of them with minarets. One of them - Garabaglar (named after the place) has survived until now and making impression on the numerous visitors. The mausoleum is only a part of the complex in the center of which tower slender minarets connected (in the middle) by the portal. From a distance this structure looks similar to the city gate. There are no ruins of fortifications, instead of them stand rectangular prisms on each side of the minarets.

Visit Duzdagh Salt Mines Hospital – a unique asthma and bronchitis treatment center: The salt mines for natural medical treatment of asthma and bronchitis. The medical treatment is made by keeping the patients in the empty salt mines for several hours per a day. The treatment claims 80% positive results. Duzdagh also extracts food salt.

Transfer to hotel for overnight. 

Breakfast at your hotel then depart to visit Alinja Fortress - one of the strongest defensive constructions of the 12th century. During Turko-Mongolian conqueror Timur’s attack to Nakhchivan in 1386-1399 the fortress served as a head quarter and place of treasure of ruling Atabayler dynasty. After 14 years siege Timur’s army was not able to occupy the fortress.

Later you will visit to “Ashabu – Kahf” Caves (as stated in Koran surah 18 - al-Kahf "The companions of the cave” based on old Greek legend “Seven sleepers of Ephesus“). There is also an Anglo-Norman poem, "Golden Legend" related with the same legend. German, British, Slav, Indian, Jewish, Chinese, and Arabian version of this legend exist also.

Drive back to Nakhchivan city and visit the Nakhchivan carpet museum, history museum, adn time permitting the Heydar Aliyev Museum. Dinner at the local restaurant then transfer to the airport at 19:00 and flight to Baku at 20:30. Arrive in Baku at 21:40, transfer to your hotel in Baku for overnight.

Breakfast at your hotel then depart to Gobustan. This open-air historical-artistic preserve with Neolithic rock drawings. It has come 6000 inscriptions that go back 12000 years (along with 2000-year-old Latin graffiti to boot). Stone Age folks sporting loin-cloths pose, hunt and boogie down in the petroglyphs. Their dances are thought to have been accompanied by the melodious strains of the Gaval-Dashy (Tambourine Stone) – a rock that has a deep, resonating tone when struck. Because of huge rocks, leaned heavily, 20 caves and tents formed there, which were shelter for inhabitants in bad weather. Gobustan is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Gobustan reserve clearly shows the longships that led Thor Heyerdahl to trace his Viking roots here. "Scandinavian mythology describes a god called Odin that came to northern Europe from a place called Azer. I have studied the writings and concluded that it is not mythology. It is real history and geography” wrote Thor. He found similarities in the drawings to those found in Scandinavia, particularly some in Alta, Norway. According to Icelandic Sagas, written in the 13 th century, the Norse God Odin (Wotan) migrated from the Caucasus in the first century AD. By local legend a skeleton found underneath Kish temple near Sheki (Azerbaijan) showed these early Vikings to have been two meters tall, and blond with blue eyes.
You will also have a chance to visit quite a unique site where 300 of the planet's estimated 700 mud volcanoes sit near Gobustan, Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea. Many geologists as well as locals and international mud tourists trek to such places as the Firuz Crater, Gobustan, Salyan and end up happily covered in mud which is thought to have medicinal qualities. In 2001 one mud volcano 15 kilometers from Baku made world headlines when it suddenly started spewing flames 15 meters high.

Overnight at your hotel.

This morning we travel by road to Shemakha, for a long time the capital and trade center for western Azerbaijan and now a small town. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence. It is famous for its traditional dancers, the Shamakhi Dancers, and also for giving its name to the Soumak rugs.

In its history eleven major earthquakes have rocked Shamakhi, but through multiple reconstructions it maintained its role as the economic and administrative capital of Shirvan and one of the key towns on the Silk Road. The only building to have survived eight of the eleven earthquakes is the landmark Juma Mosque of Shamakhi, built in the 10th century. The Juma Mosque, is a very large and attractive building. Construction date of the mosque- 743-744 – relies on research of a geological commission coming from Tbilisi, which was led by Prince Shahgulu Qajar. This date was defined with Arabic ligature on the facade of the Friday Mosque, stating the year 126, according to Islamic calendar as the establishment year.

Later we will visit Yeddi Gumbez 'Seven Tombs', yet only three of these desecrated octagonal royal tombs remain reasonably complete. Yeddi Gumbaz mausoleum – is a cemetery located 1.5 km south to Shamakhi where three mausoleums from “Yeddi Gumbaz” group are still saved. Other mausoleums of the group are partly destroyed and are without cupola or walls. The mausoleum belongs to the beginning of the 18th century. This architectural monument was built for a family of Mustafa khan – the last khan of Shamakhi. The name of the architect – Ustad Taghi – is also known due to a ligature on the mausoleum. The monument belongs to Shirvan-Absheron architectural school. The most ancient of them is dated to 1810, which is testified by a ligature carved on the mausoleum. This mausoleum is eight-edged. Its external edges have niches, which are covered with arch shaped half-cupolas.

Drive to Sheki – it is one of the most ancient settlements and cultural centers of Azerbaijan. Situated 2,300 feet above sea level, like an amphitheater surrounded by mountains and forests of oak trees, Sheki rises above fertile pastures and fields. It was founded more than 2,700 years ago on the southern slopes of the Major Caucasus Mountains chain. During its millennial history the town was devastated numerous times, so most of the historic and architectural monuments currently preserved date from the 18th and 19th centuries. In the town you will see brick houses, shaded streets, weeping willow trees, and canals carrying spring water. Sheki is famous for the Royal Summer Palace of Sheki Khans with magnificent frescoes (one of them is 80 feet long) and exquisite stained glass work. It was constructed in 1762 without a single nail and is one of the most marvelous monuments of its epoch.

Visit "Yukhari Caravanserai" an architectural monument. The setting here is stunning - lying in forested hills with views of the Caucasus.

You will then drive into the countryside to the village of Kish with the oldest church in the Caucasus dating from the first century and enjoy walks in the surrounding Caucasus foothills.

Overnight at your hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel depart to visit Lahij, a craftsmanship village located at the hills of Greater Caucasus Mountains. This village is located in Ismayilli, which is one of the most beautiful corners of Azerbaijan lying at the foot of the Great Caucasian Mountains - the land of rivers, lakes and waterfalls. Three climatic zones are represented at the same time in this region, ranging from snowy mountains to hot planes. The itinerary crosses Lahij village famous for its skilful craftsmen. This village is inhabited by hereditary braziers, tanners, engravers, potters, and blacksmiths, metal and wood carvers. During the excursion you will see the bridge connecting two villages, the stone water-pipe of the 16th century, and specimens of dwellings of the 19th century with wall paintings, Museum of regional studies where ancient carpets and brass articles are kept.

If there is enough time you will visit Nidj Udin village to see the temple in Gabala. It is known for a unique architectural monument of the Caucasian Albania - Udin Temple. The Udins are absolutely special ethnic group who are considered descendants of Alabanians (only 10,000 of them left). They have managed to preserve their traditions, language, material and spiritual culture up to now. Just recently the temple has been restored and today it is open for church-goers of Udin Christian community and tourists wishing to witness the most ancient landmark of Azerbaijan. The restored temple was constructed in the 17th - 18th centuries on the site of an ancient Albanian church which had been built at by Saint Eliseus - the Christian ecclesiast and educator honored in the Caucasian Albania. The present day temple has been named after him.

Depart to Baku
Arrive and transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Breakfast at your hotel and check out by 12:00 noon. Transfer to Baku Airport for your flight home. 

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